17 Feb (NucNet): GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) today announced it has signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin to design and build what GEH called “the world’s most advanced digital control systems and nuclear reactors”.
Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin’s nuclear systems and solutions division will design and manufacture the main reactor control room systems for GEH’s Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactors (ESBWR).
In addition to main controls packages, Lockheed Martin also will provide GEH with related simulation and training support, as well as services and replacement equipment.
The ESBWR could become one of the first next-generation models to be fully certified for US construction by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is expected to complete its final rule making of the design by autumn 2011. The design has been recommended for approval by the NRC’s advisory committee on reactor safeguards.
GEH and Michigan utility DTE Energy are collaborating on an ESBWR project next to DTE’s existing Fermi-2 nuclear plant. The NRC is reviewing the utility’s licence application for the proposed Fermi-3. This application will serve as the Reference Combined Operation Licence for the design.
The advisory committee’s report on the ESBWR is online:
http://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
GE And Hitachi Launch New Nuclear Company (News No. 139, 5 June 2007)
GE Hitachi Looks To Potential Italian Nuclear Projects (News In Brief No. 48, 10 March 2010)
GE Hitachi’s Next Generation Reactor Passes US Safety Review (News In Brief No. 192, 27 October 2010)
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